Working with a counsellor can expand the ways you are able to see and experience your situation. Together we will explore new ideas to help you to manage stress, increase balance and enhance your life.

During sessions, we will be talking about your main concerns. In your first session, we will talk about the nature of your issues, how they affect you and what your hopes are for therapy. Sometimes relevant resources are recommended. Therapy works best when you are an active participant both in and outside of the therapy sessions. We suggest you use a notebook to capture any meaningful ideas for further reflection.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all conversations between a client and a social worker.

We do not disclose information without your written permission. However, there are some rare exceptions to this rule (all involving risk and/or emergency) such as:

• An intent to harm one’s self or others (including the risk of harm to children and dependents)
• Disclosure of harm by a health professional (no matter how long ago)
• A court order

Couple Health offers ONLINE, virtual counselling during regular business hours.

If you have Employee Benefits, please check these questions with the Employee Assistance Program Provider or your company’s Human Resources services:

• Do I have coverage for counselling with a registered social worker?
• What is my allowable coverage total per person per year?

Couple Health provides receipts that include the Ontario College of Social Workers registration number for reimbursement on approved employee benefit plans. You need to check your plan to ensure you have coverage for a registered social worker. If you have no coverage, the receipts are still useful for income tax use. Please note, we do not have a psychologist or psychotherapist on the team.

Since September 26, 2012 counselling services provided by a Registered Social Worker (RSW) can be claimed as a medical expense when filing your income tax return. In other words, Registered Social Workers are now authorized “medical practitioners” for the purposes of claiming medical expenses.

We work with individuals and couples on all types of relationships and related issues. Individual sessions may be quite helpful for someone to consider their own ideas and feelings. This can move the process along as one partner tries out new behaviours and gets fresh ideas over how to handle difficult situations. Sometimes a partner will want to join in counselling. Even if the other partner doesn’t attend it can be a very useful experience to have individual counselling for relationship issues.

Small Group Therapy is a more affordable option, and is a great opportunity to hear other points of view.

Being in a group can be a supportive way to work on our own issues in the context of being in community with others. Knowing that you are not the only one with your concerns offers relief and encouragement.

We do not currently offer small group programs, but feel free to reach out for a referral.